Maryland 2003 recap

December 31, 2003

Game 1: Aug. 28

Northern Ilinois 20, Maryland 13

DEKALB, Ill. -After Dan Sheldon caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Josh Haldi in overtime, Randee Drew turned the score into a victory when he intercepted a pass in the extra period to lift Northern Illnois to a victory over 15th-ranked Maryland in the season opener for both teams played before a sellout crowd.

The homestanding Huskies forced the overtime with a 25- yard field goal by Steve Azar with just 1:12 left. After NIU held the Terps on the next possession, the Huskies drove 43 yards in 27 seconds to set up Azar with a 43-yard field goal with five seconds left that could have won the game. But Maryland's Curtis Williams blocked the attempt, sending the game into overtime.

The Terrapins scored on their first possession of the game when Josh Allen dived over from the 1-yard line midway through the first quarter. The score capped an eight-play, 58-yard drive and gave Allen a score in his first start as a Terrapin.

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Game 2: Sept. 6

Florida State 35, Maryland 10

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Maryland took a 10-0 lead in the opening five minutes, but 10th-ranked Florida State reeled off 35 unanswered points to earn a victory over the Terrapins in Maryland's Atlantic Coast Conference opener played before 82,885 at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Seminole Quarterback Chris Rix passed for a pair of touchdowns, while senior tailback Greg Jones added two other scores on the ground. Jones finished the game with 88 yards on 14 carries for FSU.

D'Qwell Jackson started the scoring for the Terps by making the most of his first career interception. He picked off a pass from Rix and went 58 yards for a touchdown, running through Rix and Lorenzo Booker on the way to the end zone just 1:54 into the game.

Game 3: Sept.13

Maryland 61, The Citadel 0

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland got its struggling offense going early and often, starting with Josh Allen's 72-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage and Maryland went on to score its biggest win in 49 years in a victory over the Citadel before a sellout crowd for the Terrapins' home opener at Byrd Stadium.

Allen finished with 136 yards on only 11 carries, including 119 yards on eight rushes in the first quarter. It was Maryland's first 100-yard rushing effort of the season, and Allen had his century mark in the opening four minutes of the game.

Sammy Maldonado followed with a 7-yard scoring run on the Terps' next possession, as Maryland scored on its first possessions, not including a 75-yard punt return for a score by Steve Suter. The first of the two scoring runs by Maldonado came after a 12-play, 99-yard scoring drive.

Game 4: Sept. 20

Maryland 34, West Virginia 7

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland dominated the first three quarters offensively and defensively, scoring 34 straight points before allowing a late West Virginia touchdown, in beating the Mountaineers before a sellout crow a Byrd Stadium.

The Terrapins outgained the Mountaineers, 598-156, and held a 28-11 edge in first downs in controlling both sides of the ball. Maryland had 260 yards on the ground, getting a balanced rushing attack with four different ballcarriers gaining at least 47 yards.

Sammy Maldonado finished with 88 yards. Bruce Perry gained 79 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns, Josh Allen had 54 yards and a score while quarterback Scott McBrien finished with 47 yards rushing. McBrien also had 220 yards through the air, including his first touchdown pass of the season with a 25-yard strike to Latrez Harrison early in the fourth quarter.

Game 5: Sept. 27

Maryland 37, E. Michigan 13

YPSILANTI, Mich. - Maryland senior quarterback Scott McBrien had his best throwing day of the season thus far, throwing for 252 yards on 14-for-19 passing with one touchdown through the air and another on the ground to lead the Terrapins to a dominating second half and a victory at Eastern Michigan at Rynearson Stadium.

McBrien was 8-for-9 for 148 yards in the second half alone, as Maryland scored the game's final 21 points to break out from the 16-13 edge it held early in the third quarter. He found Danny Melendez on a 14-yard scoring pass midway through the final period, and scored on his own with a 9-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The Terrapins also stiffened on defense after halftime, allowing the homestanding Eagles just three points and three first downs in the second half.

Game 6: Oct. 4

Maryland 21, Clemson 7

COLLEGE PARK, Md-Scott McBrien threw three touchdown passes and the Maryland defense held Clemson scoreless in the second half as the Terrapins won their first Atlantic Coast Conference game of the year with a victory over the Tigers before the third straight sellout crowd at Byrd Stadium.

McBrien threw touchdown passes to Steve Suter, Rich Parson and Derrick Fenner as the Terrapins won their fourth straight game and snapped a three game Tiger win streak.